Facultative courses

Properties of carriers of genetic information; genetic code and flow of genetic information; Mutations; regulatory protein-DNA interactions; regulator-RNA protein interactions; basic molecular tools (vectors, polymerases, ligases, nucleases and other DNA-modifying enzymes); restriction endonucleases and their use; nucleic acid isolation techniques; molecular cloning procedures; DNA duplication methods: PCR and Real-time PCR and alternative DNA amplification methods (definitions, varieties, modifications, uses); nucleic acid sequencing techniques; sequencing strategies and genome analysis, Human Genome Sequencing Project; genetic engineering and molecular biotechnology (concepts, history, achievements, prospects, threats); microorganisms, animals and transgenic plants.

Structure and physical organization of genetic material, genetic code, genes and phenotype, Mendel's laws, bacteriophages, DNA replication, DNA repair, mutations, recombinant DNA, DNA transcription, catalytic and regulatory RNA, translation, regulation of gene expression, transcription switches: inducible and repressible operons, catabolic repression, sources of genetic variation, structure and function of eukaryotic genes, DNA sequencing, Sanger method, pyrosequenceing, NGS, genome sequencing, matrix preparation, vectors for library generation, sequence assembly, genome sequencing strategies, first sequenced genome, Human Genome Project, genome mapping, genotyping.

Definitions of biotechnology and biotechnological process. Elements of biotechnological process design. Phylogenetic tree, groups of microorganisms used in biotechnology and their sources. Conventional and genetically modified microorganisms. Biotechnological applications of complete microorganisms and products derived from them, native and recombinant enzymes. Isolation and purification of native and recombinant proteins. Characterization of selected biotechnological processes using microorganisms (examples of white, green and red biotechnology), use of microorganisms in waste management. Probiotics and model microorganisms. Legal bases for uses of microorganisms and genetically modified microorganisms in biotechnology.

The use of stem cells in medical biotechnology; tissue engineering and regenerative medicine; methods of obtaining new biomaterials; proteomics as a tool for identifying new therapeutic targets; pharmacogenetics and pharmacogenomics; recombinant vaccines; examples of gene therapy; use of antibodies in biotechnology and immunotherapy; The future of medical biotechnology, ethical controversies.

Structure of the peptide bond and the structure of peptides and proteins; division of peptides and proteins; nomenclature and stereochemistry of peptides; Methods obtaining peptides on a laboratory and industrial scale; techniques for isolating and purifying peptides and proteins; protein databases and bioactive peptides; The structure and importance of peptides and proteins in medicine, pharmacy, cosmetology and food industry (e.g. peptide drugs, cosmetic peptides, biologically and functionally active peptides, bioactive sequences derived from food proteins, etc.)